Issuing a gag order, the Pakistan cricket authorities have warned the players
that they could face stiff penalties, including match bans, if they speak to the
media without prior permission from the team management.
A member of the Pakistan side said they had been told verbally by board
officials that it was off limits for every player, including captain Shoaib
Malik, to speak to the media without getting clearance from the team management.
"We have been told that if we violate this new ruling we can be banned
for a number of matches. But, the ban would be for how many matches they have
not told us as yet," the player said on condition of anonymity.
"Obviously the players are not happy with the new restrictions which have
come into effect more strictly after the World Cup," he said.
Sources said two days back a few players were committed to appear on a television
talk show on the Geo sports channel. The channel finally had to cancel
its scheduled programme after the board made it clear to the players that they
could not make direct commitments with media.
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